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Surf dog posts vid on YouTube, online world goes mad

Surf Dogs

Ricochet the surfing dog raises thousands of dollars for charity

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 3 January, 2010 : - - San Diego -- Surf Dog Ricochet, ('Rip Curl Ricki,') the Surfin for Paws-abilities surf dog, who raises awareness and funds for charitable causes is now reaching people from all over the world through her inspirational YouTube video, 'From service dog to SURFice Dog'.

Views have been increasing by the tens of thousands daily with scores of donations being made toward her charitable causes. Folks have been tweeting, Facebooking, blogging, and emailing with "kleenex alert" warnings! This inspirational video has spurred emotion on many different levels, and each person who watches seems to find their own personal message, moving them to tears.

Although the video is about a dog, and her trainer, there are several life lessons which can be applied to anyone, and anything. People from all walks of life are being inspired by the message of adjusting expectations, and focusing on ability which allows for a celebration of amazing outcomes!

One of the lessons in the video is learning to allow ourselves and others to be who they truly are... without judgment or intention to change. As one viewer put it "If things with your self or your kids aren't going exactly as you'd like, step back, let yourselves be who you really are, and watch the magic!" Another viewer comments, "Watch this inspirational video and make a vow to just ALLOW."

The video tells of Ricochet's inspiring journey from puppy prodigy, to service dog training, to realizing she wasn't entirely suited for the job due to an interest in chasing birds, to disappointment, to finding a new direction, to focusing on her natural calling which manifested into something even more wonderful than could have ever been imagined!!

The video has also generated more than $5800 in donations (so far) from all over the world including Taiwan, Japan, The Netherlands, and New Zealand. $3550 was for her Surfin' Santa Paws toy drive which helped purchase toys for over 638 children in hospitals, and domestic violence shelters.

The remainder of the funds, which continues to increase daily is going toward her newest cause, six year old Ian McFarland who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a horrific car accident that claimed the lives of his parents.

As one viewer suggests, "Anyone who doesn't invest the time just missed five minutes of pure joy. Five minutes that will never come again. Invest the time. You never know what joy awaits."